SINGAPORE - A Shocking Development

In a startling development, a company has been stripped of its prestigious workplace safety and health award after it was discovered to have misrepresented its injury record. The company falsely claimed that there had been no workplace injuries at one of its sites in 2023, while in reality, two minor injuries occurred that year.

Details of the Misrepresentation

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), minor injuries are defined as any non-severe injuries that necessitate medical leave or the assignment of light duties. Had the company accurately reported these injuries, it would not have qualified for the Safety and Health Award Recognition for Projects (Sharp) Award, as confirmed by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council in a statement released on November 23.

Whistle-blower Alert

The scandal came to light following a tip-off from a whistle-blower who suspected discrepancies in the company's award application. This led to an investigation that uncovered the truth behind the company's claims. While the WSH Council did not reveal the name of the company involved, they emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity of these awards.

Understanding the Sharp Award

For context, the Sharp Award is designed to honor large projects or worksites that demonstrate outstanding safety and health practices. Interestingly, no monetary prizes accompany this award, but the recognition is highly sought-after in the industry. In 2024, over 80 companies received the Sharp Award, highlighting the competitive nature of workplace safety standards.

Consequences of the Falsification

As a consequence of its actions, the offending company has been banned from participating in these awards for a period of three years. 'We are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the awards and will investigate all claims of wrongdoing,' stated the WSH Council firmly.

Further Investigations

Beyond losing the award, the incident has been referred to the Ministry of Manpower for further scrutiny to determine if the company violated any injury reporting laws. The MOM has not yet commented on the matter.

Criteria for the Sharp Award

To qualify for the Sharp Award, companies must maintain a stellar safety record, featuring no dangerous occurrences, major injuries, or fatal incidents at their work sites throughout the year. While companies with reported minor injuries are still eligible to apply, they must meet strict criteria, including accumulating a minimum of 1.5 million man-hours and maintaining an injury rate significantly lower than the industry average.

Conclusion

Reports suggest that, due to the verified man-hours for the project not meeting the minimum threshold, the company would have been disqualified from receiving the award even if they had reported the minor injuries accurately. This extraordinary case has sparked discussions about the lengths some companies may go to achieve recognition, raising crucial questions about integrity and safety in the workplace. Stay tuned as more updates unfold on this developing story!